Employment rights

Your rights at work

There are laws that give everyone basic rights at work. All employers must follow the law.  The help below explains what your basic basic rights are.

Your employment contract can give you more rights than the law gives you, but it cannot give you less than your basic rights.

We know that migrants and young people are particularly likely to be treated badly at work and not to know their rights - we have written this information to help you especially. 

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Worker, employee or self-employed
It is important to understand your employment status because employees have more rights than casual workers or self-employed people. You might be an employee even if your employer says that you are not.
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Pay, minimum wage, pay slips and deductions
Understand the rules around pay, minimum wage, and deductions from your pay. Advice on what to do if your employer hasn't paid you or is not giving you the amount of pay you are entitled to.
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Working hours and breaks at work
There are laws to stop people being worked too hard. Find out if you are being given enough breaks when you are at work and time off between shifts.
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Health and safety at work
Your employer has a duty to keep you safe and protect you from things that could damage your health. Understand what those duties are and what to do if your employer is not keeping you safe.
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Time off work - sick leave
Find out your rights to sick leave and sick pay, and losing your job due to illness.
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Time off work - holiday entitlement
Understand your rights to be paid for a certain number of holiday days, whether you work full time, part time or are on a zero-hours contract.
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Your rights at work if you are pregnant or a parent
Understand your maternity rights at work, and your partner's rights so you can plan for your family and ensure you receive the leave, flexible working, and protection you are meant to.
Information
Leaving your job
Your rights when your job comes to an end, whether you have chosen to leave or because your employer ended the contract.

Can't find what you are looking for?

Getting free one-to-one advice about employment law is hard. All advice services are extremely busy. We are here  to help everyone who cannot get in at an advice service and cannot afford to pay for legal help.

We give you the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need to deal with the issue yourself, or with the help of friends or family.  If you need more help and support than you can get from our advice guides, we explain how to find advice.

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